Reflections on an Ordinary Day by Neff Powell

Monday was the first "Ordinary Day" of the Lambeth Conference.

The early morning worship was led by the Koreans.  The images on the screens behind the altar were of life in Korea.  A theme of the church in Korea has been reconciliation and they are deeply involved in seeking reconciliation between North and South Korea.  In that spirit of reconciliation, the Koreans invited a bishop of the Anglican Church of Japan to address us.  You may remember that throughout most of the 20th century Korea was a colony of Japan and was treated dreadfully.  In a deeply moving statement the primate apologized for Japan's treatment of Korea. 

The Bible study group went very well as we began to discuss the matter of Gene Robinson and homosexuals in the Episcopal Church.  The presenting issue for us was how this issue affects our efforts in evangelism.  The African bishops said that in Muslim majority countries, openness to homosexuality made evangelism more difficult.  I pointed out that in some places in our culture, especially with those under age 35, it was rather the other way around.   I think, I think we heard each other.

Monday was also the first day of our indaba group.  (We were told that the word is pronounced with the same  emphasis as India, not in-da-bar, like going out for a pint.)  The indaba groups are groups of forty for discussion.  When we broke into sub-groups of three to begin our conversation, one of the three I sat with was a bishop from South India who belongs to the Dalit caste.  We would call Dalit "Untouchables."  He spoke to us of the very difficult life of the Dalit, even though the caste system is officially banned.   Although Hindu, the Dalit class are not allowed to read the holy scripture, they are not even allowed to listen to it being read.  The Dalit are assigned to the job of cleaning out, by hand, the sewers carrying human waste.  They remove the waste with buckets they carry on their heads.  And the waste ends up dripping down their entire bodies.  I asked, "how did you escape this fate?"  He said, the British brought universal education which has allowed some Dalit to escape.  They like Christianity for its values of fundamental human equality.  He said that there are many priests and bishops in India who are Dalit.  I am still shaken by the description. 

We had a Provincial gathering of our bishops.  Gene Robinson, as you know, was not invited to the Lambeth Conference, but nevertheless is in Canterbury leading "fringe events."  He was barred from attending our meeting by our hosts on the grounds that the Provincial gatherings are official events of the Conference and being held within the bounds of the the Conference.  This announcement was not well received.  We were discussing holding our next meeting outside the bounds of the Conference when it was announced that Gene would not be in Canterbury that day.  So the story continues.

You may have heard by now that the Sudanese bishops have issued a strong statement stating their condemnation of homosexuals and the Episcopal Church's stands on gay and lesbian issues.  Among other things the Archbishop of Sudan asked for Gene Robinson's resignation.  I had been given an advanced copy of the statement and, frankly, have been reflecting on the most appropriate way to respond.  I consulted with some of our experts on Sudan and other bishops in partnership with Sudan and sought the opportunity to speak with the Archbishop of Sudan this morning over coffee after breakfast.  I am somewhat dismayed that the bishops chose not to speak to us before they wrote their statement.  I remain committed to our work in the Sudan.  There is a meeting on Saturday for the Episcopal Church bishops to meet with the bishops of three African Provinces, including Sudan.  This story is to be continued.

I have been giving a lot of thought to the hymn "All are welcome" and to the Episcopal Church slogan "The Episcopal Church Welcomes You" and to the Dalit.  Who are the Dalits in our culture?  Who do I treat as Dalit?  Who do we treat as Dalit, in the United States?   Who do we treat as Dalit in the Episcopal Church?

We attended a reception for The Episcopal Church Foundation and rounded out Monday listening to a plenary presentation on evangelism.

Finally, I can report that Dorothy and I constantly run into friends, old and new, we have made from inside and outside the Episcopal Church; bishops, priests, deacons, and lay persons.  I think as Christians and Anglicans we are about building friendships and bonds of affection.  Despite sometimes falling short of that vision, this Lambeth Conference remains a most worthwhile venture.

Tomorrow, Thursday, we travel to London for a walk in support of the Millennium Development Goals, lunch at Lambeth Palace and Tea with the Queen. 

Grace and Peace,
Neff